🍲 Harira: Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea Soup 🥣

Harira is a beloved Moroccan soup, especially popular during Ramadan. Its rich flavors and hearty ingredients make it a comforting dish that brings families together to break their fast.

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🌍 What Is Harira?

Harira is more than just a tomato soup; it’s a traditional Moroccan dish that combines lentils, chickpeas, and meat, simmered with aromatic spices. The delightful aroma wafting from kitchens during Ramadan signifies the start of iftar, the meal to break the fast.

🧾 Ingredients

**Base:**

- 100 grams chickpeas (soaked overnight)

- 100 grams green lentils (soaked overnight)

- 200 grams lean beef, cut into small cubes

- Beef bones (optional, often available for free)

- 2 teaspoons smen or ghee

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 and 1/3 tablespoons salt

- 1 tablespoon turmeric

- 2/3 tablespoon ginger

- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

- 1 teaspoon black pepper

- 1 medium onion, cut into quarters

- 20 grams parsley (leaves and stems)

- 70 grams celery

- 20 grams cilantro

- 300 ml water

- 400 grams tomato puree

- 1 liter hot water

- 40 grams tomato paste

- 50 grams flour (for thickening)

- 400 ml hot water (for mixing with flour)

- 1 egg (whisked)

- 50 grams angel hair pasta

**Optional:**

- 1 small potato (for gluten-free version)

- 1 small carrot (for gluten-free version)

- Boiled eggs, sfouf (nutty crumble), dates, lemon wedges (for serving)

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Soak the Legumes:**

- Soak the chickpeas and green lentils in hot water overnight.

2. **Prepare the Meat:**

- In a pressure cooker, heat smen or ghee and olive oil over medium-high heat.

- Add the beef cubes and bones, searing them for 5 minutes.

3. **Add Spices:**

- Stir in salt, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper.

- Reduce heat to medium-low and let it cook.

4. **Make the Harira Base:**

- Blend the onion, parsley, celery, cilantro, and 300 ml of water until smooth.

- Add this mixture to the pot and increase the heat to medium.

5. **Combine Legumes and Tomato:**

- Add the soaked chickpeas, lentils, and tomato puree to the pot.

- Ensure the pressure cooker is sealed properly.

6. **Cook the Soup:**

- Cook for 30 minutes, checking occasionally and shaking the pot to prevent sticking.

7. **Add More Ingredients:**

- After 30 minutes, open the pot and add 1 liter of hot water and tomato paste.

- Close the pot and cook for another 20 minutes.

8. **Thicken the Soup:**

- In a bowl, mix flour with 400 ml of hot water using a sieve to avoid lumps.

- Whisk the egg separately.

9. **Adjust Consistency:**

- If you prefer a thinner soup, adjust the flour and water ratio.

- For a gluten-free option, cook the potato and carrot in the soup, then blend and return to the pot.

10. **Final Cooking:**

- Add the angel hair pasta to the pot and cook for another 10 minutes without the lid, stirring constantly.

🍽️ How to Serve

Serve the Harira hot, garnished with boiled eggs, sfouf, dates, and lemon wedges. Always ladle from the bottom first to ensure everyone gets a fair share of meat and lentils.

💡 Pro Tips

- Ensure the pressure cooker is sealed properly to avoid messes.

- Adjust the thickness of the soup according to your preference by varying the flour and water.

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- For a gluten-free version, use blended potato and carrot instead of flour.

🔥 Why You’ll Love This

Harira is a warm, hearty soup that embodies the spirit of Moroccan hospitality. Its rich flavors and comforting texture make it a perfect dish for family gatherings or special occasions, especially during Ramadan. If you’ve never tried it, you’re in for a treat!